The Center for Diversity and Inclusion (CDI) has teamed up with the Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being (CSMHW) to bring Michigan Tech students a low-pressure and safe environment to talk about stressors in their lives by offering a space to color and eat cookies. The Cookies and Coloring Books event is hosted by the CDI every other Thursday. The first two of these events occurred on Oct. 27 and Nov. 10, with two more to be held on Dec. 1 and Dec. 15.
This event’s main goals are to provide a safe space for students to destress and learn more about services offered by the CDI and CSMHW. The event is also a way for underrepresented students to learn ways to reach out for support through the university.
This is partially done by offering a service called ‘Let’s Talk’ where students can access confidential consultation from a counselor either at the Cookies and Coloring Books event or through a drop-in Zoom meeting. However, more prevalent students come in just for a space to have informal conversations about their lives and anything that is stressing them out. “There’s no pressure to talk in the group coloring setting, but I think the most important thing is feeling safe just hanging out together and building connections,” says Sarah Woodruff, a clinical counselor at Michigan Tech about the general setting of the event. Having these spaces is very important for all students on campus, especially for underrepresented students.
“And who doesn’t like cookies?” asks Woodruff. The cookies and adult coloring books offered are a way to encourage students to come and destress, and let students know more about the services offered at the CSMHW and CDI.
The CSMHW will continue to have events like these through the rest of the semester, especially with finals coming up. To view upcoming events to help destress, visit the events page for the Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being. Included in these upcoming events are Hand Turkey Decorating, more Cookies and Coloring, Chair Massages for Stress-Free Finals Week, and Howl with the Huskies. If you have any questions about upcoming events, email the CDI (cdi@mtu.edu) or CSMHW (well-being@mtu.edu).
